Category Minority Veterans
IN THEIR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: ANOTHER CALVET SUCCESS STORY
A few weeks ago, U.S. Army veteran Eric Ornelas and his September bride, Marie, went shopping for lights and other Christmas decorations. For some homeowners, that means picking up more LED strings as they strive to make their homes visible from the International Space Station. Others might scour the clearance racks after the holidays to […]
SHINING LIGHT ON CALIFORNIA’S TWO JEWISH MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS AS HANUKKAH BEGINS
With eight days of Hanukkah – the Jewish Festival of Lights – beginning tonight, CalVet would like to salute the memories of the 18 known Jewish Medal of Honor recipients, two of whom were from California. Their names grace the Medal of Honor Wall at CalVet Headquarters in downtown Sacramento, and their stories are worth […]
WITH RATIFICATION OF THE 13th AMENDMENT, SLAVERY IN U.S. OFFICIALLY ENDED 155 YEARS AGO
One of the great misconceptions in United States history is that President Lincoln ended slavery in this country when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, effective January 1, 1863. It did not happen then, and would not for over two more years. So, when did slavery actually end in the U.S.? December 6, 1865, 155 years ago, when Georgia became the 27th state needed to ratify the […]
ENTRY TO NATIONAL PARKS, OTHER FEDERAL LANDS NOW FREE TO ALL VETERANS, GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Veterans of the United States military, along with those who lost family members, can now enter Yosemite, Yellowstone, or any other national park in the United States at no charge. Once available only to disabled veterans, the benefit expanded to all veterans and Gold Star families beginning Veterans Day 2020, and available at more than […]
MANY VETERANS FIND DIFFERENT WAYS TO SERVE AFTER MUSTERING OUT OF THE MILITARY
Each Veterans Day, we honor those who served to defend this nation. Parades. Shows. Visible well intentioned and well deserved thanks. Often lost in the moment is that for so many veterans, serving remains in their blood. It doesn’t end when they are handed their DD-214 discharge paperwork. To the contrary, they are just getting […]
CALVET’S RESPECT FOR LATINO VETERANS ETCHED IN STONE
Statues, in many cases, honor a person who symbolized leadership, bravery, and who set the example that others follow. The California Mexican-American Veterans Memorial, known as “El Soldado,” is different, though. It represents not an individual, but an entire culture of patriots. Consequently, with Latino Heritage Month coming to its close, the California Department of […]
IN 100th YEAR OF LENDING, ACCESS TO CALVET HOME LOAN HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER
You are a veteran wanting to purchase or build a home in California. A first-timer nervous about the process? Or, your credit rating is a bit spotty, perhaps? Relax. You served your nation. The California Department of Veterans Affairs’ experienced and dedicated Home Loans staff stands ready to serve you, just as they have helped […]
GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR NATIVE AMERICAN MEMORIAL PLAZA THAT WILL SHOWCASE “THE GIFT” STATUE AT RIVERSIDE
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration will break ground on the plaza of the American Indians Veterans Memorial on Friday, September 25 at the Riverside National Cemetery. It will be the first major monument honoring U.S. indigenous veterans located at a VA national cemetery. The Memorial will feature a statue named “The […]
DON’T MISS CALVET’S “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” REPEAL ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SEPTEMBER 24
In September 2011, President Obama ended the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that for 17 years allowed LGBTQ to serve in the United States military only if they kept their sexual orientation secret and the military didn’t find out about it. The repeal of this oppressive practice enabled gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to […]
ANSWERS TO VETERANS’ BENEFITS QUESTIONS JUST A CLICK AWAY WITH CALVET’S UPDATED RESOURCE BOOK
Are you a service member or among the nearly 1.6 million veterans living in California? Do you want to buy a home? Do you want to return to school or find a new career in the civilian world? Do you need help navigating the VA’s medical system, or need information about any of your other […]
